Powered mechanism for positionable ohairs



Feb. l, 1966 A. c. FERRO 3,232,575

POWERED MECHANISM FOR POSITIONABLE CHAIRS Filed May 27, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 USI Feb. l, 1966 A. c. FERRO POWERED MECHANISM FOR POSITIONABLE CHAIRS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 27, 1963 United States Pater 3,232,575 POWERED MECHANISM EUR PQSIIIONABLE CI-IAS Arthur C. Ferro, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Contour Chair-Lounge Co., Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Fiied May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 283,192 4 Claims. (Cl. 248-430) The present invention relates generally to the positionable ch-air art, and more particularly to a novel powered mechanism for positioning the upper part of a lounge chair in respect to the supporting base.

There has long existed in the positionable chair art a need for a powered mechanism for moving the upper part of the chair in respect to the supporting part in a smooth, elicient, and positive manner between defined limits with- -out the requirement of skilled operation. Heretofore, manypowered devices have -been provided for reciprocating lounge chair parts, but insofar as the applicant is aware, these have proved deficient in one or more respects. Often, such mechanisms jam at one end or the other, or in the range of operation. High maintenance costs caused by many factors have evolved from some powered structures. The costs of complicated powered structures have rendered still others impractical for an-average lchair.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel powered mechanism for positionable chairsy which provides the solution to the problems enumerated in the foregoing paragraph.

In brief, the present novel powered mechanism for positionable chairs includes a threaded shaft mounted on one of therelatively movable parts of a chair and a shaftrider construction mounted on theother part of the chair, as herein illustrated, the former being mounted on the movable part of the chair for movementitherewith and thel latter on the supporting part of the chair. Anfelectric motor and means for transferring the movement of the'rotor to the shaft are mounted on the movable part of the chair in operativerelationwit-hthe shaft. The rider construction incorporatesmeans for rendering the driving eiect ofthe motor inoperative-at the termini ofthe shaft. An operating switch for driving the motor in selected direction of rotation is provided.

Therefore, another object of the present invention is to` provide a novel motorized mechanism for positiona-ble chairs which is constructed togive-long, substantially trouble-free service in selectively moving the upper partV of a chair in reciprocative motion in respect to the supporting base.

Another object is to provide a novel motorized mechanism for positionableA chairs which is rendered automatically in-operative at the predetermined limits lof movement of the movable chair part to prevent damage to the mechanism through inadvertent maintenance of the switch in a closed position beyond the full run of the movable upper part of the chair in respect to the supportingbase.

Another object is to providea novel motorized mechanism for positionable chairs which will quickly and,

smoothly position the upper part of a positiona-ble chair in respect to the support and which will maintain the chair in the selected position.

Another object is to provide a novel powered mechanism for positionable chairs which can be readily operated and success-fully used by an occupant having minimum instructions for movement of the chair, which is relatively inexpensive, yet durable, which is positive in action, and which otherwise fullls the objects and advantages sought therefor.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

lCC

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of the frame of a positionable chair of the, lounge type incorporating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view thereof;

'FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, side elevational view of sai-d chair frame, the present novel powered mechanism being shown in dotted lines;

FIGUREA 4 is a top plan view of the portion of the chairillustrated in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical, transverse, cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, transverse, cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 6--6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 7 7 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a further enlarged longitudinal, fragmentary, cross-sectional View taken on substantially the line 8-8 ofFIGURE 4;

'FIGURE 9 is a further enlarged, longitudinal, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 949 of FIGURE 4;

FIGUR-ES 10 and 1l are further enlarged, cross-sectional views taken on substantially the lines 10g-10 and 11-11 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURES 12, 13, 14 and 15 are further enlarged, transverse, cross-sectional views taken on substantially the lines 12-12 13-13, 14-14, and iSv-15, respectively, of

FIGURE 9;

FIGURE l6 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 16.16-of FIGURE 15;

'FIGURE 17 is-a View similar to FIGURE 116, but With the rider construction at the other terminal position;

FIGURE 18 is a side elevational View of the holder sleeve for the bearing members; and

FIGURE 19 is aview similar to FIGURE 3, but with the movable part of the chair atthe other extreme position of movement in respect to the supporting part of the chair.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, 20 indicates generally a chair frame of a positionable chair which incorporates a powered mechanism 22 constructed in yaccordance with the principlesof the present invention. The chair frame 20 includes a movable part 24 and a supporting part 26. The upper part 24 includes parallel side members 29, transverse end members 28, intermediate transverse members 30,`and a transverse member 32 for supporting elements of the powered mechanism 22. The supporting part 26 includes parallel arcuate side members 33, transverse end members 34, andan intermediate transverse member 36 for supporting elements of the powered mechanism 22. Secured to andvagainst the inner face of each side member 33 are two spaced track segment-s 38, each of which is disposed on a segment 4t? of wood or other suitable material adhesively or otherwise maintained against the side member 33 (FIGS. 3, 6 8, l0 and 1l). Spaced rollers 42 are mounted on the bottom of each side member 29 of the upper part 24 by suitable 4brackets 43 and roll upon the track segments 3S, as is clear from FIGURES 3, 7, 8 and 1i). A U-str-ap 44 is secured to the bottom of each side member 29 adjacent each roller 42 and extends beneath the associated supporting segment 4t? to maintain the upper part 24 in operative association with the lower part 26, as is shown in FIGURES 7 and 1l. It is clear from the foregoing that the Iupper part 24 can be reciprocated in an arcuate path on the supporting part 26.

The powered mechanism 22 includes a reversible A.C. motor 46 of appropriate size which is mounted on the transverse member 32 and is secured thereto by suitable nut and bolt assemblages 48 (FIGS. 2 and 8). The motor 46 includes a rotor shaft 50 to the free end of which a,2s2,575 Y is secured a small pulley 52. About the pulley 52 is trained a belt 54, said belt S4 also being trained about a large pulley 56 which is mounted on and secured to one end of a shaft 58 which includes threads 60 for a major portion of its length (FIGS. 4 and 9). The end of the shaft 58 adjacent the pulley 56 is mounted in a bearing memher 62 having universal movement support between an arcuate strap member 64 and a member 65 having a dished center portion, which are secured to a plate 66 mounted on the transverse member 32 in spaced relation to the motor 46 (FIGS. 4, 9 and 12). A pin 70 extends through and is secured to the shaft 58 adjacent each end of the threads 60, as is clear from FIGURE 9.

A U-shaped bracket 72 is secured to the transverse member 36 and includes opposed legs 74 each of which includes a threaded boss 76 receiving a threaded bolt member 78 (FIGS. 4, 14 and 15 Pivotally supported between and on the ends of the bolt members 78 is a rider assembly 80 which operatively engages the threads 60 of the shaft 58 (FIGS. 4, 9 and 13-18).

The rider assembly 80 includes two identical ring members 82 each of which includes a circular internal shoulder 84 and opposed notches 86, the latter forming wells to receive the ends of the bolt member 78 when the ring members S2 are in opposed relation, as is clearly illustrated in FIGURES 15, 17. Extending through the ring mem-bers 82 is a sleeve 88 which has t-wo diametrically spaced shoulders 90 at each end and three longitudinal openings 92 spaced at 120, one such opening 92 being shown in FIGURE 18. End bands 94 reinforce the sleeve 88, being riveted or otherwise secured thereto. Disposed within each opening 92 is a roller bearing 96, each of which has lfour annular surfaces 98 engaging between threads 60, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 16 and 17. Between the ring members 82 is an annular leaf spring member 100 which maintains the former in engagement wit-h surfaces 98.

A two-way switch 102 is mounted on the exterior face of one of the longitudinal members 33 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4). The switch 102 is biased into the olf position shown in FIGURE 4 and can be manually pivoted clockwise to engage terminal 104 to energize the motor 46 for rotation in one direction, or counterclockwise into engagement with terminal 106 to energize the motor 46 for rotation in the opposite direction. Wiring 108 is diagrammatically indicated in FIGURE 4, it being understood that the switch 102 is connected into the terminals of the motor 46 in the well-known manner. The switch 102 may be any switch which will effect selective rotation of the rotor S of the motor 46.

It is manifest from the foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings that energization of the motor 46 will effect arcuate movement of the upper part 24 in respect to the lower part 26, the direction of movement being determined by the selected position of the switch 102. It is intended that the switch 102 be held in the selected position by an occupant of the chair, or one standing by the chair, until the desired movement of the upper part 24 has been completed. Thereupon, the switch 102 is released, which effects deenergization of the motor 46 and immediate cessation of movement of the upper part 24. It is manifest that rotation of the shaft 58 in its engagement with the rider assembly 80 causes the shaft 58 to move backward and forward through the assembly 80, as desired. Should the switch 102 be maintained in closed position as and after a shoulder 90 of the sleeve 88 engages a pin 70, the sleeve 88 and the captive roller bearings 96 will be rotated with the shaft 58, thereby stopping travel of the shaft S8 in relation to the rider assembly 80. This prevents damage to the working parts of the powered mechanism 22, electrically and mechanically. This non-movement relationship is effective at each end of the threaded portion of the shaft 58. The universal mounting of the end of the shaft 58 permits the upper part 24 to move smoothly in an arc in relationship to the lower part 26.

It is apparent that there has been provided a novel powered positionable chair combination which fullls the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the lforegoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood Vthat changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is: Y

1. In combination, a positionable chair including a movable part and a supporting part, and powered mechanism operatively associated with said movable and supporting parts for reciprocating the former in respect to the latter along an arcuate path comprising power means mounted on one of said parts, means for transferring power from said power means from said one of said parts to the other said part to effect relative movement therebetween, including a threaded shaft mounted on said one of said parts and a rider structure operatively engaging said threaded shaft and connected to the other said part so that rotation of said sha-ft effects movement of said movable part relative to said supporting part, said shaft being mounted to permit movement of said movable part along an arcuate path, means being provided to so effect such mounting of said shaft including a bearing member mounted on one end of said shaft and a housing member mounted on the movable part receiving said bearing member for universal movement, and means for energizing said power means.

2. In combination, a positionable chair including a movable part and a supporting part, and powered mechanism operatively associated with said movable and supporting parts for reciprocating the former in respect to the latter along an arcuate path comprising power means mounted on one of said parts, means for trans- :Eerring power from said power means from said one of said parts to the other said part to effect relative movement therebetween, including a threaded shaft mountedV on said one of said parts and a rider structure operatively engaging said threaded sha-ft and connected to the other said part so that rotation of said shaft effects movement of said movable part relative to said supporting part, said shaft being mounted to permit movement of said movable part along anfarcuate path, means being provided to so etfect such mounting of said shaft including a bearing member mounted on one end of said shaft and a housing member mounted on the movable part Y receiving said bearing member for universal movement,

said rider structure including a U-shaped member and shaft-engaging members cradled thereby permitting tilting of said shaft, and means for energizing said power means.

3. In combination, a positionable chair including a movable part and a supporting part, and powered mechanism operatively associated with said movable and supporting .parts for reciprocating the former in respect to the latter along an arcuate path comprising power means mounted on one of said parts, means for transferringV power from said power means from said one of said parts to the other said part to effect relative movement therebetween, including a threaded shaft mounted on said one of said parts and a rider structure operatively engaging said threaded shaft and connected to the other said part so that rotation of said shaft effects movement of said movable part relative to said supporting part, said shaft being mounted to permit movement of said movable part along an arcuate path, means being .provided to so effect such mounting of said shaft including a bearing member mounted on one end of said shaft and a housing member mounted on the movable part receiving said bearing member for universal movement, said threaded shaft having pin means at each end of the threads, said rider structure including means rendering movement transfer inoperative upon said means engaging a pin means, and means for energizing said power means.

4. In combination, a positionable chair including a movable part and a supporting part, and powered mechanism operatively associated with said movable and supporting parts for reciprocating the former in respect to the latter along an arcuate path comprising power means mounted on one of said parts, means for transferring power from said power means from said one of said parts to the other said part to eiect relative movement therebetween, including a threaded shaft mounted on said one of said parts and a rider structure operatively engaging said threaded shaft and connected to the other said part so that rotation 0f said shaft efects movement of said movable part relative to said supporting part, said shaft being mounted to permit movement of said movable part along an arcuate path, means being provided to so effect such mounting of said shaft including a bearing member mounted on one end of said shaft and a housing member mounted on the movable part receiving said bearing member for universal movement, said rider structure including a U-shaped member and shaft engaging members cradled thereby permitting tilting of said shaft, said threaded shaft having -pin means at each end of the threads, said rider structure including means rendering movement transfer inoperative upon said means engaging a pin means, and means for energizing said power means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 137,091 3/1873 Parker 297-329 1,048,306 12/ 1912 Greilick 297-329 1,778,635 10/1930 Heisler 248-11 2,313,023 3/1943 Ruegger 297-329 2,966,069 12/ 1960 lVise 74-424.8 3,043,552 7/1962 Colautti 2A8-429 3,051,965 9/1962 Szemplak et al. 297-344 3,124,332 3/1964 Heyl 248-430 FOREIGN PATENTS 672,824 9/ 1929 France. 1,151,003 8/1957 France.

491,796 3/ 1954 Italy.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A POSITIONABLE CHAIR INCLUDING A MOVABLE PART AND A SUPPORTING PART, AND POWERED MECHANISM OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MOVABLE AND SUPPORTING PARTS FOR RECIPROCATING THE FORMER IN RESPECT TO THE LATTER ALONG AN ARCUATE PATH COMPRISING POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON ONE OF SAID PARTS, MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING POWER FROM SAID POWER MEANS FROM SAID ONE OF SAID PARTS TO THE OTHER SAID PART TO EFFECT RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, INCLUDING A THREADED SHAFT MOUNTED ON SAID ONE OF SAID PARTS AND A RIDER STRUCTURE OPERATIVELY ENGAGING SAID THREADED SHAFT AND CONNECTED TO THE OTHER SAID PART SO THAT ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT EFFECTS MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE PART RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING PART, SAID SHAFT BEING MOUNTED TO PERMIT MOVEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE PART ALONG AN ARCUATE PATH, MEANS BEING PROVIDED TO SO EFFECT SUCH MOUNTING OF SAID SHAFT INCLUDING A BEARING MEMBER MOUNTED ON ONE END OF SAID SHAFT AND A HOUSING MEMBER MOUNTED ON THE MOVABLE PART RECEIVING SAID BEARING MEMBER FOR UNIVERSAL MOVEMENT, AND MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID POWER MEANS. 